Economic Hardship - Coupons For The Poor

[george]

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Coupons for the poor

Scheme to start next month, Surapong says

BANGKOK: -- The government is pre-paring to give low-income people coupons to buy food and other basic necessities to lessen the impact of rising fuel and food prices.

The Finance Ministry and other key government agencies are trying to find a way to help the poor, who are suffering from the rising cost of living.

The government is expected to launch the free coupon project next month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Sueb-Wonglee said yesterday

"Principally, the measure will help the poor in general," he said. "They can use the coupons for food or other products. We're discussing the value of the coupon as well as the distribution period," Surapong said.

He ruled out any subsidy for retail petrol and diesel prices, as cheaper NGV tanks will be available next month.

The government will also organise mega-trade fairs to sell reasonably priced products to the public.

Surapong maintained that the people want the government to stay in office in order to solve the economic woes although the People's Alliance for Democracy(PAD) is campaigning for its removal.

Federation of Thai Industries chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said that the government should provide low-interest loans to retrofit trucks to run on NGV, as this will lower logistics costs.

Board of Trade vice chairman Dusit Nontanakorn also pushed for an urgent meeting between economic federations and ministers on the government's economic measures. The government has not yet responded to its proposal for such a meeting submitted last week.

"We need to discuss urgently how to handle rising raw material and transportation costs. Price hikes will affect inflation but the private sector can maintain the prices for a long time. We need to look at the broad picture," he said.

Retail oil prices were raised by 70 satang yesterday as crude oil crossed US$135 per barrel.

Operators of ferries on the Chao Phya River will today ask to increase fares by up to Bt2, depending on distance.

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider the higher costs for the Purple and Blue mass-transit lines at its weekly meeting today,.

It is also the set to approve the rice-pledging programme to help farmers,, for which the budget required has spiked to Bt35 billion from Bt25 billion calculated previously.

-- The Nation 2008-06-10

[llso]

Will be interesting to see who actually gets these coupons. Hopefully the people who might really need them.

LL

[Khun Jean]

Probably only can use these coupons in shops and businesses owned by already rich people.

I don't trust these government people at all. There is always something that will make them more rich.

Sad, really.

[sriracha john]

Coupons for the poor

Scheme to start next month, Surapong says

A nation-wide Food Stamps program thrown willy-nilly together and to be implemented within 30 days???

It's got corruption, fraud, and abuse written all over it.

[stumonster]

Yes - the "Hub of Coupons " was an idea floated at last weeks brainstorming session at the Karaoke - at the moment they can only be redeemed at kingpower stores but that will change as other agreements are "negotiated".

[sriracha john]

....with nary a mention of even the amounts of money to be involved in the hastily-thrown-together social program.

"No need.... we take care you" is all that is necessary for them to reveal.

[marshbags]

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Coupons for the poor

Scheme to start next month, Surapong says

BANGKOK: -- The government is pre-paring to give low-income people coupons to buy food and other basic necessities to lessen the impact of rising fuel and food prices.

The Finance Ministry and other key government agencies are trying to find a way to help the poor, who are suffering from the rising cost of living.

The government is expected to launch the free coupon project next month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Sueb-Wonglee said yesterday

"Principally, the measure will help the poor in general," he said. "They can use the coupons for food or other products. We're discussing the value of the coupon as well as the distribution period," Surapong said.

He ruled out any subsidy for retail petrol and diesel prices, as cheaper NGV tanks will be available next month.

The government will also organise mega-trade fairs to sell reasonably priced products to the public.

Surapong maintained that the people want the government to stay in office in order to solve the economic woes although the People's Alliance for Democracy(PAD) is campaigning for its removal.

Federation of Thai Industries chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said that the government should provide low-interest loans to retrofit trucks to run on NGV, as this will lower logistics costs.

Board of Trade vice chairman Dusit Nontanakorn also pushed for an urgent meeting between economic federations and ministers on the government's economic measures. The government has not yet responded to its proposal for such a meeting submitted last week.

"We need to discuss urgently how to handle rising raw material and transportation costs. Price hikes will affect inflation but the private sector can maintain the prices for a long time. We need to look at the broad picture," he said.

Retail oil prices were raised by 70 satang yesterday as crude oil crossed US$135 per barrel.

Operators of ferries on the Chao Phya River will today ask to increase fares by up to Bt2, depending on distance.

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider the higher costs for the Purple and Blue mass-transit lines at its weekly meeting today,.

It is also the set to approve the rice-pledging programme to help farmers,, for which the budget required has spiked to Bt35 billion from Bt25 billion calculated previously.

-- The Nation 2008-06-10

Coupons for the poor my Armhole.

This is yet another feeding bowl for the Scheming Puyai and their families. ect. ect.

The greedy uncaring, unscrupulous, B*ST*R*S

marshbags

Edited June 10, 2008 by marshbags

[geriatrickid]

A nation-wide Food Stamps program thrown willy-nilly together and to be implemented within 30 days??? It's got corruption, fraud, and abuse written all over it.

Sadly, you are correct.

If the USA food stamp program is any indication, then the poor will be made poorer as their dignity is taken from them as well.

[a2396]

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Coupons for the poor

Scheme to start next month, Surapong says

BANGKOK: -- The government is pre-paring to give low-income people coupons to buy food and other basic necessities to lessen the impact of rising fuel and food prices.

The Finance Ministry and other key government agencies are trying to find a way to help the poor, who are suffering from the rising cost of living.

The government is expected to launch the free coupon project next month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Sueb-Wonglee said yesterday

"Principally, the measure will help the poor in general," he said. "They can use the coupons for food or other products. We're discussing the value of the coupon as well as the distribution period," Surapong said.

He ruled out any subsidy for retail petrol and diesel prices, as cheaper NGV tanks will be available next month.

The government will also organise mega-trade fairs to sell reasonably priced products to the public.

Surapong maintained that the people want the government to stay in office in order to solve the economic woes although the People's Alliance for Democracy(PAD) is campaigning for its removal.

Federation of Thai Industries chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said that the government should provide low-interest loans to retrofit trucks to run on NGV, as this will lower logistics costs.

Board of Trade vice chairman Dusit Nontanakorn also pushed for an urgent meeting between economic federations and ministers on the government's economic measures. The government has not yet responded to its proposal for such a meeting submitted last week.

"We need to discuss urgently how to handle rising raw material and transportation costs. Price hikes will affect inflation but the private sector can maintain the prices for a long time. We need to look at the broad picture," he said.

Retail oil prices were raised by 70 satang yesterday as crude oil crossed US$135 per barrel.

Operators of ferries on the Chao Phya River will today ask to increase fares by up to Bt2, depending on distance.

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider the higher costs for the Purple and Blue mass-transit lines at its weekly meeting today,.

It is also the set to approve the rice-pledging programme to help farmers,, for which the budget required has spiked to Bt35 billion from Bt25 billion calculated previously.

-- The Nation 2008-06-10

Coupons for the poor my Armhole.

This is yet another feeding bowl for the Scheming Puyai and their families. ect. ect.

The greedy uncaring, unscrupulous, B*ST*R*S

marshbags

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a bad attitude.

[Tony Clifton]

Another TRT/PPP program you can file under ''Failed miserably''.

[younghusband]

Another TRT/PPP program you can file under ''Failed miserably''.

Technically and artistically that's quite a striking image, one of your best though as you know I'm not a great fan of the genre.

The trouble is that all the evidence shows the poor actually improved their lot under Thaksin, partly because of the "populist" measures and partly because of the relatively benign economic climate at the time.It's an article of faith among those who hate Thaksin that this was not the case, but all the evidence points the other way.Ammar Siamwalla, for example one of the country's most respected economists and who has no axe to grind is quite clear on this point.Indeed the success of the TRT's rural policies in part at least explains the motivation of the forces that authorised the coup, competing networks and all that palaver.

[soundman]

This has "cash cow" written all over it.

[h90]

Probably only can use these coupons in shops and businesses owned by already rich people.

I don't trust these government people at all. There is always something that will make them more rich.

Sad, really.

Probably only in thaksins cronies stores. A complete new field of corruption. You can also sack in 5 % when a poor buys 1 kg rice.

[hammered]

The country is badly in need of a slate of integrated and well thought out polices rather than a bunch of thrown together reactive single issue decisions. This could all get messy.

Surapong says that the people want the government to continue in power to solve economic problems. Right now he is right and that is what they should start concentrating on, or that may no longer remain the case. There really is no need for them to fixate on a relatively small and peaceful protest, and the best reaction to any protest anywhere in the world is for the government to be doing a good job. It is time for this current lot to at least try their best rather than to try and blame others for their own inaction.

[bratpack]

Stinks to high heaven.where do these politicians get educated because a 10 yo could do a better job than most of this dimwits.

[Plus]

Time is pressing - half a year passed since elections and MPs need to start doing something to recoup their investments in elections.

Some propose to collect rent from BMTA for their spanking new buses, others want to make a kill on rice pledging scheme, coupons is another great idea to help their businesses.

[hammered]

Time is pressing - half a year passed since elections and MPs need to start doing something to recoup their investments in elections.

Some propose to collect rent from BMTA for their spanking new buses, others want to make a kill on rice pledging scheme, coupons is another great idea to help their businesses.

and if any rumours of another election or for that matter a change of coalition takes hold that pressure to recoup and very rapidly will only increase.

[learnthaipodcast]

I think this is done to make sure the poor people will oppose and new coup.

[Los78]

Probably only in thaksins cronies stores. A complete new field of corruption. You can also sack in 5 % when a poor buys 1 kg rice.

Whine.... Whine.... Cry.... Cry..... Booo Hooo.. Yes, another typical Anti-government (Pro Military Junta) I love PAD comment..... Anything the governement tries to do to help people has to be bad because its the "Terrible pro-Taksin PPP government". Maybe all you anti-governement people should stop all your whining and read more then just the one sided Nation and BKK Post stories every morning. You should try to read about the history of some of your PAD leaders you so love you might relise that they are no angels...

The "Elected!!!!" governement has just been in power a few months. You should at least give them some time to fix the mess that was left by the illegal Junta before you critize them for every single policy. You guys are so one sided and brainwashed by the PAD retoric that it's not worth commenting on anymore. Look at history and learn from it before damaging the country even more...

h90 - Stop being a hypocrite.... Yes, I am anti-PAD! like you are anti-democratic! (Pro Junta)

[Plus]

This thread is about coupons, anti-PAD rants belong to other threads.

I don't think coupons will help a lot, but as a short term measure they will surely help those who get them.

How many millions are they going to print? How much value for each? Where can the people cash them? Or is it in exchange for certain goods only?

The government has set a deadline of 30 days to implement the project without any details.

Just a few days ago Samak pushed for rice pledging scheme in less than an hour and over Commerce Minister's head, Nation editorial mentions that the set price is 50% higher than the current market price. Samak has also stopped distributing cheap government rice to keep the prices up.

What effect would it have on rice on supermarkets shelves? Will it double? We know that the government will lose 20-30 billion.

[Payboy]

low-income people coupons to buy food and other basic necessities

could anyone please tell me how many coupons for a new merc or beemer? its time to replace the one I bought way back in '97...

[h90]

Probably only in thaksins cronies stores. A complete new field of corruption. You can also sack in 5 % when a poor buys 1 kg rice.

Whine.... Whine.... Cry.... Cry..... Booo Hooo.. Yes, another typical Anti-government (Pro Military Junta) I love PAD comment..... Anything the governement tries to do to help people has to be bad because its the "Terrible pro-Taksin PPP government". Maybe all you anti-governement people should stop all your whining and read more then just the one sided Nation and BKK Post stories every morning. You should try to read about the history of some of your PAD leaders you so love you might relise that they are no angels...

The "Elected!!!!" governement has just been in power a few months. You should at least give them some time to fix the mess that was left by the illegal Junta before you critize them for every single policy. You guys are so one sided and brainwashed by the PAD retoric that it's not worth commenting on anymore. Look at history and learn from it before damaging the country even more...

h90 - Stop being a hypocrite.... Yes, I am anti-PAD! like you are anti-democratic! (Pro Junta)

7th Posting how much you get paid per posting?

No whining....that won't happen because the government days are counted. One more week or one more month, but not much more.....

And again they are not elected they bought their way, but don't want to discuss that again, it is getting boring.

[Firefan]

Where can I go and get some coupons? Cheers!

[soundman]

Where can I go and get some coupons? Cheers!

Wouldn't that be a sight to see, farang queing for food stamp along with starving rice farmer!

[h90]

I just got an overall idea of the concept behind.

Mr. Toxin gives super cheap credits, mostly to buy mobile phones from him.

The farmers guarantee with their land.

The bank pays the phone

Most can't pay it back (surprise surprise)

(Junta let them plant trees instead of paying money, but that was canceled now)

The bank takes the land and sell it to some rich people

Mr. Toxin was already there with his friends to have a look.

They now poor farmer get coupons to buy food farmed on their former land from Toxins shops with the countries money.

If there would be a Nobel price for criminal actions, Mr. Thaksin would deserve it.

[sriracha john]

Where can I go and get some coupons? Cheers!

Wouldn't that be a sight to see, farang queing for food stamp along with starving rice farmer!

Most likely the Dutch Beggar In Bangkok would be at the head of the line.

[marshbags]

When will the well off elected PUYAI be sincere in their objectives in relation to coming up with self feeding bowls their main motivation / objective ???

This thread triggered off one of many such examples of NGAF about the less well off.

One of the saddest sights i witnessed happened on a childrens day outside Mikes on Beach Road Pattaya.

The more fortunate members of society had took over and the less fortunate were just bullied out of the way.

I remeber looking across on the opposite side of beach road and seeing many less well off kids and their families stood about just watching it all and saddness written all over their faces.

Very sad in my case as i have never been able to forget it.

On childrens day this comes to my minds eye and it still happens in many places, even now, Tesco, Big C for 2 examples here outside of pattaya.

Pattaya nowadays is a champion of the under priviledged and less fortunate members of the community

Kudos to all who deicate their time to them and all the people who contribute to make it all possible.

marshbags

Edited June 10, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

A nation-wide Food Stamps program thrown willy-nilly together and to be implemented within 30 days??? It's got corruption, fraud, and abuse written all over it.

Sadly, you are correct.

If the USA food stamp program is any indication, then the poor will be made poorer as their dignity is taken from them as well.

and now, in keeping with USA analogies, the government wants to create, organize, and implement the 1889 Oklahoma Stampede....all within 90 days...

I'll be waiting for the bugle to sound the start of the free land giveaway...

*as the rich folks are at the ready behind them, preparing the buyouts to snatch up government land that was previously unavailable*

Once again,

It's got corruption, fraud, and abuse written all over it.

A million rai for farmers

The Treasury Department has been given three months to take back one-million rai of unused land from other government agencies for allocation to poor farmers. This is one of several measures approved by the cabinet yesterday to help struggling rural communities. Others include a budget of 28-35 Billion Baht for the rice mortgage programme and 545 Million Baht for irrigation water management projects. The State Property Bureau, part of the Treasury Department, owns 12.5 million rai of land nationwide, most of it now under the care of the Defence, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Education and Finance ministries. It will be distributed to poor farmers. * and hopefully kept by them, but then again..., will it? * PM Samak ordered the department to hold talks with the four ministries about returning the land so that the plan can be realised within three months, she said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jun2008_news01.php

[Scott]

You might be able to get the coupons from one of the print shops on Khao Sarn Road. Now can you purchase beer and cigarettes with them (within the specified hours of permissible selling, of course)?

[TAWP]

I love this government, that thinks it's their job to give away other peoples money.

And steal some for them selfs in the process.

This is the crap ones tax-money is spent on.